Caitlin Clark, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, had another impressive performance in Iowa State’s Sweet 16 game against the fifth-seeded Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday.
Clark’s 29 points led the Hawkeyes in scoring. She also added 15 assists, leading Iowa to her 89-68 win. Saturday’s win sets up a rematch of last year’s national title game against LSU.
“I think we’re excited. Anytime we have a chance to play against an opponent we lost to, we get a little more energy,” Clark said. “Overall, I think it’s going to be a really great game for women’s basketball. Women’s basketball is really solid from games one through five. We know we have to rebound the basketball.”
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Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after a three-point shot against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Sweet 16 round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on March 30, 2024 at MVP Arena in Albany, New York# twenty two. (Greg Fiume/NCAA Photo, Getty Images)
Kim Mulkey led LSU to the program’s first national title last year when the Tigers defeated Iowa State 102-85 in the championship game. Both teams are scheduled to play on Monday. The winner earns a spot in the Final Four.
“I think everyone’s pretty excited,” Iowa coach Lisa Bruder said. “These are two really good basketball teams. It’s a shame to play them this early. All the teams that are left right now are really good. LSU is definitely that. A very emotional and competitive team. It’s going to be a great team.”
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Clark got the Hawkeyes going early, driving to the basket for easy layups and throwing great passes. The only thing missing from Clark’s day was her one of her signature midcourt logo shots. She took a few, but she missed them.
The NCAA’s all-time Division I leading scorer also shined off the court. She is an incredible player who has brought record ratings and attendance to this sport. After Clark’s buzzer, she signed autographs for a few minutes before heading back to the locker room.
Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Lisa celebrates after a victory over the Colorado Buffaloes during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 30, 2024 in Albany, New York.・Bruder. (Scott Taetsch/NCAA Photo, Getty Images)
Clark made a beautiful bounce pass to Hannah Stuelke for a layup before the end of the first quarter, giving the Hawkeyes a 22-14 lead. Clark had six points, six assists and three rebounds in the first 10 minutes.
“We had a punch to start the third quarter,” Bruder said. “It was really important to set the tone early in both halves.”
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The Buffaloes made back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Last year, they lost to Iowa in the same round, 87-77.
“It’s tough. I never want to go out like that,” said Jaylin Sherrod from Colorado. “There are some things we can all look back on and say we could have done better. I’m proud of this team.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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